VISITORS from Hong Kong are the most willing to spend on lodgings of all inbound source markets to India, paying Rs8,061 (US$134) per night in 2013. This is according to Hotels.com’s latest Hotels Price Index, which said the figure was up six per cent over 2012's Rs7,599.

Travellers from the Middle East ranked second with Rs7,909 followed by South Africans (Rs7,594), growing three and four per cent respectively. Switzerland ranked fourth (Rs7,457, 15 per cent), Singapore came in ninth (Rs7,123 with no growth) while China ranked 10th (Rs7,115, 17 per cent).

Anil Punjabi, chairman-east, Travel Agents Federation of India, said: “Business travel has increased, showing a rise in higher end hotel usage by visitors from Hong Kong, China, the Middle East and South Africa. This trend is likely to escalate in 2014 and 2015 with greater flight connectivity and the increase in luxury hotel rooms in key destinations.”

European countries displayed the most growth in amount spent on accommodation, with Belgium leading the pack (25 per cent), trailed by Italy and Finland (22 per cent), and Austria (16 per cent).

Ravi Gusain, managing director, New Delhi-based Erco Travels, said: “The growth in room rate paid by visitors from western European countries like Finland, Italy, Austria and Switzerland augurs a healthy trend. If these economies are recovering, then there will be a resurgence of tourist inflow from these traditional markets this year and in time to come.”

New Delhi, Mumbai, Goa and Bengaluru continued to be the most-visited destinations for international inbound travellers to India.